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Axios
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Fever Fest looks to the future of Indy festivals
Saturday night's Fever Fest brought big laughs and big hits to Everwise Amphitheater before the WNBA All-Star game. Why it matters: The people throwing the party tell Axios it wasn't just a one-time thing. It was the first edition of the Circle City's next big festival franchise. Driving the news: Despite a midday downpour and the looming threat of show-canceling conditions, fans stormed White River State Park for the event produced by Kevin Hart's Hartbeat Media Group in collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment. Stand-up headliners like Cedric The Entertainer and Leslie Jones handled the funny — with some help from the Fever's Sydney Colson — while hip-hop hitmakers BIA and G-Eazy took care of the tunes. What they're saying:"I consider Indianapolis to be the best major event host city in the country, and I think this event is going to only continue to elevate that," said Joey Graziano, PS&E's EVP of strategy and new business ventures. "With our partnership with Hartbeat as the official culture curators of the Pacers and the Fever, we created something new. Probably earlier than we would have otherwise. But we wanted to make sure that this event had a signature inaugural moment." "For the rest of Fever Fest's existence — and we believe it's got a long, long runway ahead — people are always going to say the first one was at WNBA All-Star." Between the lines: The partnership between PS&E and Hartbeat was announced earlier this year with the promise of festivals, halftime performances, scripted content and bespoke merchandise collaborations. Hartbeat EVP and head of marketing Janina Lundy told Axios the aim is to make Fever Fest and everything else born from the multi-year partnership feel distinctly Indianapolis. She added that the "inaugural" prefix the event carried in its branding was intentional, so expect the name to stick around even as the time, venue and list of performers change. "The idea isn't that we're just coming into the market when this big event is happening. We're really a partner … and we're just kind of trying to enhance what already exists," she said. "Fever Fest itself will continue to grow both with local entertainment and entertainers coming from around the world." For Graziano, the ultimate goal is one day turning Fever Fest into a citywide takeover. "We know we've got to start small. We've got to earn credibility and trust in each step. But we are looking at and saying that our city lines up so well with what we believe is the future of music and comedy festivals," he said. Zoom out: Fever Fest's future is being considered as Indy-area concertgoers enjoy a growing selection of new or expanding single and multi-day festivals of all sizes. After making its debut in May 2024, GANGGANG's I Made Rock 'N' Roll Festival will return in May 2026. Thursday marks the start of Post. Festival 2025, a three-day showcase of global post-genre bands hitting HI-FI and HI-FI Annex. The Chreece hip-hop festival returns on Aug. 23, packing performances from more than 50 acts across seven stages into a single day. Indy Jazz Fest runs from Sept. 9-20 with a loaded lineup for local and international talent. The 10th anniversary of the traveling Outlaw Music Festival Tour comes to Ruoff on Sept. 18 with legends like Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Sheryl Crow.
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Knock, knock. Who's there? Fever veteran Sydney Colson, the funniest WNBA player
INDIANAPOLIS — Sydney Colson, widely considered one of the funniest players in the WNBA, wasn't fearful of any awkward moments throughout her stand-up comedy set Saturday during WNBA All-Star Weekend. If the Indiana Fever guard made a joke that didn't land with the audience at the Everwise Amphitheater in downtown Indianapolis, she planned to give herself some grace. Advertisement If the crowd was tough on her, she planned to give herself some laughs, too. 'It's more butterflies than nerves at the anticipation of something,' Colson told The Athletic a few days before her set. 'But once I'm on the stage, (the reaction) is whatever, because I'm the kind of person that if people don't laugh and I thought it was funny, I'll still laugh anyway.' Fortunately for Colson, when she took the stage for the most notable stand-up performance of her budding comedy career, there wasn't much silence as she delivered her jokes. The crowd flowed with laughter as Colson displayed why her talent isn't just limited to the basketball court. Colson's set was a part of Fever Fest, a joint venture between her Indiana team and Hartbeat, an entertainment company owned by comedian Kevin Hart. The comedy and music festival featured performances from rap artists Bia and The Kid LAROI, as well as big-time comedians Deon Cole, Leslie Jones and Cedric the Entertainer. Colson was the opening act, an opportunity that had been years in the making. 'At the beginning of 2020, during the pandemic, I told myself that … I would go and do stand-up somewhere,' said Colson, who performed her first set in Houston a few years ago. 'I was kind of nervous about it, so anytime I'm nervous about something, I want to face it head-on. Because what's the reason for that fear? I want to know.' Since then, Colson, who said she's spent years studying more accomplished comedians, has continued to ascend. Her big break came when she landed a comedy series alongside former teammate and fellow aspiring comedian Theresa Plaisance titled 'The Syd + TP Show.' The 10-episode series premiered on FuboTV in September 2023. Colson, 35, hopes that Saturday's set at Fever Fest serves as another springboard toward her goal of becoming a full-time comedian and actress whenever she retires from pro basketball. 🤗🙏🏾technically my second time, but it's been like 4 years so I'm gonna force myself to do this more regularly now — Sydney Colson (@SydJColson) July 21, 2025 'My job is very public,' Colson said. 'People are gonna see when you lost a game or you didn't play well, but at the end of the day, basketball is just not that deep to me. I love it, and I work hard at it; I take it very seriously when I'm on the court. But we're not solving the world's problems with a basketball, so we should be allowed to laugh. And for me, I want to make as many people laugh as I can.' Colson's teammates, including two-time All-Star Caitlin Clark, tried to get her to practice her Fever Fest jokes on them. Clark even said she gave Colson a few 'bits to work on,' while secretly hoping to get a preview of Colson's set, but Colson wouldn't budge. If they wanted to see her perform, they had to show up in person like everyone else. Advertisement Clark, who was voted a team captain in the All-Star Game, had a jam-packed schedule Saturday and was unable to make it. However, in Clark's absence, Colson still had plenty of in-person support from the Fever, including teammate Sophie Cunningham, coach Stephanie White and COO/general manager Amber Cox. They all laughed and cheered as Colson opened Fever Fest with a seven-minute performance while she shuffled through her cue cards. The laughter grew louder with each punchline. Colson, whom White jokingly called 'the face of the league,' is one of the few WNBA players who is seemingly loved by fans, players and coaches of every franchise, likely because of her self-deprecating humor. Colson received a round of applause from the audience and a congratulatory hug from Cole as she left the stage. However, for all the jokes she cracked at Fever Fest, her teammates have made it clear all season that Colson's presence within the Fever franchise is no joke at all. 'She's one of the main leaders inside of our locker room, if not the leader in our locker room,' Clark said. 'She's the constant voice, and she has that great balance of when things can be fun and loose and making jokes and keeping everything light. But also, she's won before. She knows what it takes to win.' Colson is a two-time WNBA champion, winning back-to-back titles during her three-year stint with the Las Vegas Aces, before joining the Fever this year during free agency. She also won a national championship at Texas A&M in 2011, the only national title in program history. However, Colson is quick to point out that the peaks of her career wouldn't have occurred without her perseverance in the valleys. She tore her right ACL before her sophomore season at Texas A&M in 2008, underwent surgery in June 2008 and played in the Aggies' season opener against Mercer just 147 days later. Advertisement She was waived by the Connecticut Sun during her rookie season and spent three years playing overseas before returning to the WNBA, where she latched on for three years with the San Antonio Stars (now the Aces). She was out of the WNBA again in 2021, only to return and help the Aces raise two championship banners in 2022 and 2023. Despite being viewed as a perpetual jokester, Colson said she wasn't always upbeat throughout her trials. There were dark days and lonely hours. She views her comedic timing as a rare spiritual gift that has not only helped her along her journey but could help someone else along theirs, especially as she leans more into her 'other craft' of stand-up comedy. 'You can have down moments. You can even be seasonally depressed,' Colson said. 'Some people struggle with mood disorders or whatever it may be. So, I don't take it lightly that this is the mental state that I was given and the heart that I was given. I always try to uplift myself and make fun of myself, and in return, other people can hopefully be uplifted by that, too.' (Top photo of Sydney Colson: Courtesy of Indiana Fever)
Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
WNBA All-Star weather report. Fever Fest attendees should expect rain. Will the event go on?
The inaugural Fever Fest during WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis is set to feature top comedians and music acts followed by a game watch party hosted by DJ D-Nice. The outdoor event is taking place July 19 at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. It could be a wet one, though. The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and a possible thunderstorm on Saturday. There's an 80% chance of precipitation. Everwise will make the call on any weather-related cancellation, a Pacers Sports & Entertainment spokesperson said. Events at Everwise typically proceed rain or shine, according to the Live Nation facility's website. 'The show will go on whatever the weather. Unless it's looking extra gnarly,' the site says, advising customers to check its social media for any changes. Fever Fest: Boots on the Ground for 2025 WNBA All-Star. Music and comedy show lineup announced Get updates via text regarding weather, traffic and other show information by texting FEVER25 to 317-779-2696. Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Kevin Hart's Hartbeat entertainment company are organizing the show. The activation is part of Hartbeat's multi-year deal with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to coordinate entertainment and fan experiences throughout the year. Grammy-nominated artist The Kid Laroi is headlining the event. Comedian Deon Cole, from 'Black-ish," will host. Other featured performers include: Fever Fest starts at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the party goes on until 11 p.m. Tickets are available at Find Fever Fest tickets on Ticketmaster Friday: There's a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. In the evening, there's a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. The low will be around 73. Saturday: Showers are forecast along with a possible thunderstorm for the day and evening. High near 88. The chance of precipitation is 80%. The low will be around 73.
Indianapolis Star
5 days ago
- Climate
- Indianapolis Star
WNBA All-Star weather report. Fever Fest attendees should expect rain. Will the event go on?
The inaugural Fever Fest during WNBA All-Star in Indianapolis is set to feature top comedians and music acts followed by a game watch party hosted by DJ D-Nice. The outdoor event is taking place July 19 at Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park. It could be a wet one, though. The National Weather Service is forecasting showers and a possible thunderstorm on Saturday. There's an 80% chance of precipitation. Everwise will make the call on any weather-related cancellation, a Pacers Sports & Entertainment spokesperson said. Events at Everwise typically proceed rain or shine, according to the Live Nation facility's website. 'The show will go on whatever the weather. Unless it's looking extra gnarly,' the site says, advising customers to check its social media for any changes. Fever Fest: Boots on the Ground for 2025 WNBA All-Star. Music and comedy show lineup announced Get updates via text regarding weather, traffic and other show information by texting FEVER25 to 317-779-2696. Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Kevin Hart's Hartbeat entertainment company are organizing the show. The activation is part of Hartbeat's multi-year deal with Pacers Sports & Entertainment to coordinate entertainment and fan experiences throughout the year. Grammy-nominated artist The Kid Laroi is headlining the event. Comedian Deon Cole, from 'Black-ish," will host. Other featured performers include: Fever Fest starts at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the party goes on until 11 p.m. Tickets are available at Find Fever Fest tickets on Ticketmaster Friday: There's a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. In the evening, there's a 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms. The low will be around 73. Saturday: Showers are forecast along with a possible thunderstorm for the day and evening. High near 88. The chance of precipitation is 80%. The low will be around 73.
Geek Tyrant
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Trailer For The Sci-Fi Adventure Film XENO and It Has Heavy E.T. Vibes — GeekTyrant
We've got a trailer her for you to watch for a sci-fi adventure film titled XENO, and this isn't your average alien encounter movie. As you'll see, the movie has heavy E.T. vibes, but it's a little bit darker. The movie stars Lulu Wilson ( Becky, The Haunting of Hill House ) as Renee, a teenage girl who stumbles upon a crash-landed alien and forms an unexpected bond with it. But this isn't a wide-eyed visitor with a glowing finger, it's a towering, clawed creature with supernatural powers, capable of lifting Renee into the air and outrunning an ATV. The trailer captures a mix of awe and danger. Renee keeps the alien hidden as authorities close in, but the creature's power and appearance hint at chaos waiting to erupt. The footage leans into classic Spielbergian wonder while teasing brutal, high-stakes action. There's a tension between the warmth of their connection and the horror that seems inevitable. The movie was written and directed by first-timer Matthew Loren Oates and it was produced by Kevin Hart through his Hartbeat company. XENO is being distributed by Blue Fox Entertainment and will hit U.S. theaters on September 19th. Check out the trailer and tell us what you think!
